The North Carolina Center for the Advancement of Teaching (NCCAT) has announced the finalists for the 2027 Burroughs Wellcome Fund NC Career and Technical Education (CTE) Teacher of the Year Award, according to a recent press release.
The award recognizes educators “for their excellence in career and technical education pathways and their commitment to fostering student success,” the release says. It was developed through a partnership between NCCAT and the N.C. Department of Public Instruction (DPI) and the N.C. Association for Career and Technical Education (NCACTE), the press release says.
“NCACTE embraces the opportunity to showcase these role model CTE teachers,” NCACTE Executive Director John Kirkman said in the press release. “These teacher leaders make a difference in the lives of CTE students and their communities daily.”
The 24 finalists will attend a week of professional development from Oct. 26-30, 2026. The winner will be announced during a recognition event on Oct. 29 in Concord, sponsored by the Burroughs Wellcome Fund.
“Career and technical education teachers play a critical role in preparing students for success in a rapidly changing world,” said Chief Diversity Officer for the Burroughs Wellcome Fund Alfred Mays. “These outstanding educators help students connect classroom learning to meaningful careers while developing the problem-solving, technical, and leadership skills that strengthen our communities and workforce. The Burroughs Wellcome Fund is proud to support NCCAT in recognizing and celebrating educators who inspire the next generation of innovators, creators, and leaders.”
The first place winner will receive a $5,000 cash prize, the release says, along with instructional supply funds for their school, a three-year membership in NCACTE, and the opportunity to participate in the national ACTE Conference as the NCACTE Teacher of the Year representative. The runner-up will receive a $2,000 cash prize and a three-year membership in NCACTE.
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Meet the finalists
- Adara Barnes, Alamance-Burlington School System
- Justin Deal, Alexander County Schools
- John Moody, Asheville City Schools
- Elizabeth Roberson, Bladen County Schools
- Kelly Richardson, Brunswick County Schools
- David Brotherton, Caldwell County Schools
- Amanda Forbes, Camden County Schools
- Clare Matusevich, Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools
- Matthew Wykoff, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools
- Tammy Cox, Cumberland County Schools
- Danyelle Pickell, Currituck County Schools
- Regina Smith, Guilford County Schools
- Kimberly Hackett, Harnett County Schools
- Austin Rash, Iredell-Statesville Schools
- Caitlin Goforth, Madison County Schools
- Sophie Voris, McDowell County Schools
- Luke Smith, Pender County Schools
- David Tripp, Pitt County Schools
- Caroline McKee, Randolph County Schools
- Bradford Taylor, Rowan-Salisbury Schools
- Donnie Henson, Rutherford County Schools
- Heather Graves, Scotland County Schools
- Marie Antonette Jimenez, Warren County Schools
- Christopher Hicks, Wayne County Schools
These educators come from 24 different counties, representing every corner of the state.
“Last year, North Carolina public school students earned 382,964 career and technical education credentials, the most in our state’s history,” said State Superintendent Maurice “Mo” Green. “Numbers like that do not happen by accident. They happen because of the CTE teachers in classrooms across North Carolina who pour their hearts into preparing students for what comes next. These twenty-four finalists are an extraordinary representation of that work.”
Read more about the award here.
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